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Stockbyte/Thinkstock(WASHINGTON) -- Ahmed Salkini, who has rather vigorously defended the Syrian government in the the U.S. press for several years, is leaving his post as Syrian Embassy spokesman to take a private sector job. He was, by his own admission, largely absent as protests against President Assad swelled in recent months.

Privately, Salkini admitted a few weeks ago that recent events made him think it was time to leave his position, though they were not the only reason. On Tuesday, he didn't say if his resignation is solely in protest. His farewell email, however, reveals hints of his personal feelings about the uprising in Syria.

"As many of you have pointed out, I have been conspicuously silent since the beginning of the events in Syria, and at times, even unresponsive," Salkini wrote. "I leave my position during the most difficult, yet promising of times in Syria’s modern history. I have been pained by every drop of Syrian blood lost. Still, I am certain of, and comforted by, the fact that Syria will emerge from this crisis more democratic, unified, freer, and stronger than ever," he added.